Negative effects of biomass combustion and co-combustion in boilers

Concentrations of regulated air pollutants - carbon monoxide, nitrogen monoxide as well as that of non-regulated compounds in waste gases - volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and HCl during combustion of selected biomass pellets in a small retort boiler have been investigated. In the group of VOCs, the highest concentration has been observed for aldehydes (formaldehyde and acetaldehyde) and benzene. The lowest concentration of CO and the highest concentration of VOCs were detected in waste gases from combustion of wooden pellets. The highest concentration of HCl in flue gas has been observed during combustion of wheat straw pellets. Design of the retort boiler investigated favours high concentration of CO in flue gas, regardless of the biomass used.